Quizzes & Puzzles2 mins ago
Bad skin
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.I think you should go to a dermatologist. You have suffered for long enough, I'm sure you've tried every over the counter solution and exhausted most of your GP's options. (May not be suitable for your situation, but have you tried going on the Dianette contraceptive pill?)
It sounds like you deserve specialist help. Dermatologists have lots of different ways to help combat spots, some are specialised in one particular method. Try searching on Google to get some addresses and ideas. Unfortunately if you go private it may be expensive, but it could be worth it. If you go NHS then you'll have a bit of a wait.
Hi .... another one who can empathise with you. I'm 40 (!!!) but have been prone to the sort of bad skin you describe since I was about 14. Every so often I go to the doctor but then "give up" as nothing really seems to work!
Luckily, my face has never been badly affected though I never seem to be without 1 or 2 spots - it's mainly been my back & that's made life a misery especially during the summer or if I want to go swimming.
I do wonder however just how "bad" your skin really is ? Not saying that to be mean , just know that in my own experience you become so self-conscious that you can't help but peer at your skin very closely and therefore probably "see" it far worse than anyone else.
Best things I've found have been a combination of the contraceptive pill Dianette - and sunshine. Trouble is, the UK isn't particularly obliging sunshine wise and we all worry about using sunbeds.
As I have a 19 month baby, I haven't used sunbeds (or been on holiday anywhere hot) or the pill for some 3 years in total (due to trying, pregnancy and nursing). My skin has definitely suffered as a result.
Your post has prompted me ... I must go back to doctors (now I've stopped breastfeeding) and ask for help again ! Hope I'm not "too old" to use Dianette now !
Though I've never used it, Marge, a common and apparently effective prescription for acne is Roaccutane (sp?) - suitable for both sexes - though you must ensure (if a woman obviously) not to get pregnant as it can damage the foetus.
However - I think I remember reading that for some people this drug can cause excessively dry skin ... to the point of being very sore and cracked, so like everything, would need to be monitored carefully.
I think its about time I went to a dermatologist then!Thanks everyone for your replies. MargB, I am actually in Australia at the moment, and I thought that that the sun may help me, but 7 months later and my skin looks worse! Gilli, it is quite bad, only my mother mentions it, people pointedly don't discuss it. It never stops me going out or anything (I don't have to look at it) but I've realised how it must look to others, that's the reason I want to do something about it.
Lovely to hear all your suggestions. Thanks
Hi reddster,
I am a skincare therapist and i have worked with the likes of dermalogica, decleor and elemis and i also have my own salon, so hear me out - iknow you are probably fed up with different skincare routines but sometimes its best to break some habits, firstly i would stop using any soaps, shower gels or wipes on your face. This is because they contain alcohol - alcohol strips the natural oils in you skin leaving it feeling tight and itchy, but then the skin panics and produces even more oil / sebum to compensate for its loss!! great huh!
So i would recommend getting a face wash that doesnt contain any alcohol, (i use decleor foaming cleanser which is brilliant), and an oil free moisturiser like decleor fluid hydra matte, it leaves your skin with like a powder matte finish but it works to balance out the oil supply in your skin. you can either go on ebay to find a good deal or go to your local decleor salon.
I honestly swear by these products and i have nothing to gain from giving you this advice so you know i'm not trying to sell anything to you! good luck!
The first cream amd anti-biotic treatment did not work, so I went onto Roaccutane. This did the trick! It does dry the skin very badly, so put vaseline on your face at night.
My skin is very clear, got a few spots recently after eating supermarket pizza and a beer, so obvioulsly clean up your diet!